thumb one's nose

[thumb one's nose] {v. phr.}

1. To hold one's open hand in front of one's face with one's thumb pointed at one's nose as a sign of scorn or dislike.

* /After Bob ran into the house he thumbed his nose at Tom through the window./

2. {informal} To look with disfavor or dislike; regard with scorn; refuse to obey. — Used with "at".

* /Betty thumbed her nose at her mother's command to stay home./

* /Mary thumbed her nose at convention by wearing odd clothes./

Compare: LOOK DOWN ON.

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Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms


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	See also »
	nose [nose] See: COUNT HEADS or COUNT NOSES, CUT OFF ONE'S NOSE TO SPITE ONE'S FACE, ... A Dictionary of American Idioms look down one's nose at [look down one's nose at] {v. phr.}, {informal} To think of as worthless; feel scorn ... A Dictionary of American Idioms under one's nose [under one's nose] or [under the nose of] {adv. phr.}, {informal} In sight of; in ... A Dictionary of American Idioms keep one's nose to the grindstone [keep one's nose to the grindstone] or [have one's nose to the grindstone] or [hold ... A Dictionary of American Idioms cut off one's nose to spite one's face [cut off one's nose to spite one's face] {v. phr.} To suffer from an action ... A Dictionary of American Idioms put one's nose out of joint [put one's nose out of joint] {v. phr.}, {informal} 1. To make you jealous; leave ... A Dictionary of American Idioms skin off one's nose [skin off one's nose] {n. phr.}, {slang} Matter of interest, concern, or trouble to you. ... A Dictionary of American Idioms

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